Frame Size (H x L): 9” x 6.5”
Badge Size (H x L): 4” x 2”  

Offered is a rare badge, commemorating a woman’s first opportunity to vote under the newly ratified 19^th Amendment.  It is a combination of a button and a ribbon attached thereto.  The button includes the following overprint:

UNDER
The 19^th
Amendment
I CAST MY
FIRST VOTE
Nov. 2^nd, 1920. 

And the ribbon includes this overprint:

WOMEN’S
FIRST VOTE
VOTE
THE
STRAIGHT
REPUBLICAN
TICKET   

The button and ribbon are both yellow.  Yellow was the primary color in the women’s suffrage movement in the US, and was combined with various other colors, though in most instances was combined with black.   

THE BUILDUP TO THE 19^TH AMENDMENT
In 1848, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York.  As a result of this meeting in Stanton’s hometown, the document containing a declaration for women’s suffrage, right to education, and right to employment was drafted.  Over the next 50 years, numerous women’s conventions were hosted to bring strength to the movement in masses.  In 1906, the daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriot Stanton Blatch, founded the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women, which later became the Women’s Political Union.  The Women’s Political Union organized working-class suffragists and, in 1910, organized the first large scale suffrage march in the United States (in New York City). 

Though initially targeted as a state-by-state movement, it was ultimately recognized that only an amendment to the Constitution would grant all women the right to vote.  Amendments were introduced in 1878 and 1914, both of which were defeated.  By 1918, both political parties were committed to women’s suffrage, in part based on the major role women played in World War I.  As such, in January of 1918 and June of 1919, an amendment was passed by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate, respectively.  On August 18^th, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, giving the two-thirds of state legislators necessary to ratify the amendment.  On August 26^th, the 19^th Amendment became part of the Constitution, and stated the following:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.  Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1920
The election of 1920 stands out as a pivotal moment in American history, set against a backdrop of global upheaval, national trauma, and profound social change.  With World War I concluded and the Prohibition era beginning, the United States grappled with defining its identity in the post-war era.  Central to this process of self-definition was the dominant victory of the Republican ticket, headed by Warren G. Harding, which promised a "return to normalcy."  

Leading the Republican charge were Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio, the presidential nominee, and Governor Calvin Coolidge of Massachusetts, his running mate.  They squared off against the Democratic ticket of Governor James M. Cox of Ohio and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York.  The choice of candidates reflected a stark contrast in visions for America's future.

The Republican campaign's central theme was a call for a "return to normalcy."  After the tumultuous years under President Woodrow Wilson, marked by U.S. involvement in World War I and a global pandemic, many Americans yearned for a simpler, more predictable era.  Harding's message, thus, resonated powerfully with a public weary of upheaval.  His skepticism towards the League of Nations further cemented his stance on prioritizing American interests.  While acknowledging the necessity of international cooperation, Harding critiqued the League as it might entangle the U.S. in global disputes without congressional oversight.  Furthermore, the Republican agenda leaned toward pro-business policies, advocating for a reduction in government intervention in the economy and championing tax cuts.

The results of the election bore testament to the widespread appeal of the Republican message.  With 404 electoral votes to the Democrats' 127, Harding's victory could be described as nothing short of a landslide.  This significant margin was equally reflected in the popular vote, where Harding secured over 60% of the votes.

The repercussions of the 1920 election echoed throughout the decade.  The decisive Republican victory ushered in an era of GOP dominance in U.S. politics.  This was, however, marred by tragedy when Harding died in office in 1923.  His Vice-President, Calvin Coolidge, stepped up to continue Harding's legacy, later securing a full term in the 1924 election.

The 1920 presidential election was not just a political event but a reflection of the American zeitgeist of the time.  The overwhelming endorsement of the Republican ticket, with its promises of stability and a "return to normalcy," encapsulated the nation's collective desire to reclaim a sense of security and identity after a decade of profound challenges.  The election underscored the nation's resilience and adaptability, setting the stage for the political and social dynamics of the Roaring Twenties.

Conservation Process: The badge was hand sewn to cotton fabric and a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the badge, the cotton was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The badge is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic. 

Frame: The badge is in a birdseye maple frame.  It dates to approximately 1860.  “Birdseye” refers to a specific figure found in hard maple wood, which appears as tiny, distinct, and swirling eyes dispersed across the wood.  This pattern is not the result of knots but rather from the fibers and growth of the wood itself.   

Condition Report: As shown in the images, this badge is in excellent condition.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors 
Date of Origin: 1920